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'Small ships only': How passengers are affected by Canada's cruise ship ban
Cruise ship restrictions extended until 2022 leave only a handful of operators able to sail Alaska and Canadian Arctic voyages
"Alaska, here we come!”
That was the reaction from one American cruise line boss after the Canadian government banned ships with more than 100 passengers from entering its waters until next February, amid continuing concerns over Covid-19.
Dan Blanchard, of UnCruise Adventures, confirmed that he and other small operators would send US-flagged vessels to the 49th state, even though bigger rivals face having to cancel bookings.
Telegraph Cruise looks at what the ban will mean for cruise passengers.
Why does the Canadian decision affect Alaska sailings from US ports?
The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) of 1886 means any cruise ship not registered in the US – such as the ones operated by major lines, including Holland America and Princess Cruises – must call at a foreign port when sailing between two states. The idea was to protect American businesses.
So a foreign-flagged ship sailing from Seattle, Washington, to Seward in Alaska, for example, must dock at a port such as Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia. Canada has indicated it won’t even allow “technical” stops, without disembarkation.
Who will be operating in Alaska this year?
Only US-flagged ships, employing American crew, can sail – which leaves the small operators such as UnCruise, Lindblad Expeditions, American Dream Cruises, American Cruise Lines and The Boat Company. Compared to their bigger rivals, they are literally a drop in the ocean.
UnCruise, for example, plans to send 5,000 passengers to Alaska this year in six ships from May 16. Alaskan Dream Cruises also intends to deploy six craft from May 7, carrying between 10 and 76 guests at a time. American Cruise Lines will operate one coastal ship, American Constellation, which can take 175 passengers from May 31. Lindblad is lining up three vessels. To put this in context, Alaska would normally expect to welcome 1.4 million cruise visitors a year.
Where else is affected?
Apart from Alaska, large cruise ships will not be able to operate along the Canada/New England route or in the Canadian Arctic.
What do the big lines say about the ban?
Sister lines Holland America and Princess are hoping to persuade the Canadian transport minister to change his mind. Whatever happens, they will operate one of their two lodges in Denali, Alaska.
Could the situation change?
One of two things must happen: either Canada amends the ban or the US Congress suspends the PVSA (sometimes confused with the later Jones Act). However, neither is likely to happen quickly, if at all.
What will this mean to Alaskans?
An emotional Dan Blanchard of UnCruise, who lives in Alaska, said the extension of the Canadian ban into a second year was “devastating”. He added: “I almost have tears in my eyes. Even though we as a company stand to benefit, this is the worst freaking news we could have. There are people that rely on those [big] ships. There are mouths to be fed.”
He said he would back the major operators and the Cruise Lines International Association in lobbying for a lifting of the PVSA. Zak Kirkpatrick, of American Dream Cruises, said: “We strongly support a waiver that would allow large lines to sail to Alaska this summer.”
What’s going on with the rest of US cruises?
Major companies, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line, are still suspended nationally until the end of April, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention replaced a no-sail order with a conditional return to cruising. However, the CDC has yet to approve test cruises, which must take place before normal passenger sailings can resume, so the wait is bound to continue.